Marlon Harewood is West Ham United's hero after his winner in yesterday's FA Cup semifinal victory over Middlesbrough at Villa Park.
Harewood gathered Dean Ashton's 78th minute knock-down and held off defender Gareth Southgate before powering an angled drive into the roof of the net.
Franck Queudrue had a free-kick punched away as Boro tried to respond.
Chris Riggott had an excellent late chance but scuffed a shot wide as an edgy West Ham held on.
Harewood said afterwards: "The lads put in all the effort and I got the goal - I can't believe it. I'm loving it.
"We've been waiting ages for this - it was an opportunity we couldn't miss."
Boss Alan Pardew said his side had wanted to pay tribute to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, former West Ham managers who passed away this year.
Pardew said: "We've done it and I'm pleased for the two families of Greenwood and Lyall - we did it for them.
"It's been a fantastic season, our fans have had a great day and in the second half we showed what we were about.
"The important factor was not to change our shape, so we pushed our full-backs on. You have to say the players won that by turning it around.
"It's a fantastic achievement for a promoted team."
A year ago West Ham were pushing for a play-off place in the Championship, which they duly achieved before winning that final and promotion to the Premiership.
Harewood insisted that the Hammers would go into the FA Cup final against Liverpool on 13 May believing they could win the trophy for the first time since 1980.
He added: "It's possible - the things we have done this season, anything is possible."
Defender Anton Ferdinand said his side had coped admirably with the occasion.
He said: "We came out for the second-half all guns blazing, put them on the back foot a bit more and the pressure paid off.
"For a lot of us it was our first big game, but to go out and show that we can do it on the big stage means a lot to the boys.
"We showed we can handle the pressure."
Boro boss Steve McClaren said: "There was not much in the game. The first goal is always important, we had enough opportunities in the first half but West Ham took their chance - it wasn't our day.
"In the first half we dictated the tempo but we needed to take our chance.
"I can't fault the players for their character and the way they carried on for 95 minutes.
"It wasn't to be. Sometimes your name is on the Cup, sometimes it is not."
McClaren will now have to raise his players ahead of the Uefa Cup tie at The Riverside.
He added: "There's nothing I can say or do that will cheer up anyone in that dressing room or the staff over the next 24 hours.
"But we need to make sure that on Tuesday we get back to work and we don't feel the same on Thursday."
Harewood gathered Dean Ashton's 78th minute knock-down and held off defender Gareth Southgate before powering an angled drive into the roof of the net.
Franck Queudrue had a free-kick punched away as Boro tried to respond.
Chris Riggott had an excellent late chance but scuffed a shot wide as an edgy West Ham held on.
Harewood said afterwards: "The lads put in all the effort and I got the goal - I can't believe it. I'm loving it.
"We've been waiting ages for this - it was an opportunity we couldn't miss."
Boss Alan Pardew said his side had wanted to pay tribute to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, former West Ham managers who passed away this year.
Pardew said: "We've done it and I'm pleased for the two families of Greenwood and Lyall - we did it for them.
"It's been a fantastic season, our fans have had a great day and in the second half we showed what we were about.
"The important factor was not to change our shape, so we pushed our full-backs on. You have to say the players won that by turning it around.
"It's a fantastic achievement for a promoted team."
A year ago West Ham were pushing for a play-off place in the Championship, which they duly achieved before winning that final and promotion to the Premiership.
Harewood insisted that the Hammers would go into the FA Cup final against Liverpool on 13 May believing they could win the trophy for the first time since 1980.
He added: "It's possible - the things we have done this season, anything is possible."
Defender Anton Ferdinand said his side had coped admirably with the occasion.
He said: "We came out for the second-half all guns blazing, put them on the back foot a bit more and the pressure paid off.
"For a lot of us it was our first big game, but to go out and show that we can do it on the big stage means a lot to the boys.
"We showed we can handle the pressure."
Boro boss Steve McClaren said: "There was not much in the game. The first goal is always important, we had enough opportunities in the first half but West Ham took their chance - it wasn't our day.
"In the first half we dictated the tempo but we needed to take our chance.
"I can't fault the players for their character and the way they carried on for 95 minutes.
"It wasn't to be. Sometimes your name is on the Cup, sometimes it is not."
McClaren will now have to raise his players ahead of the Uefa Cup tie at The Riverside.
He added: "There's nothing I can say or do that will cheer up anyone in that dressing room or the staff over the next 24 hours.
"But we need to make sure that on Tuesday we get back to work and we don't feel the same on Thursday."
